WANANCHI LOST TRUST IN THEIR LEADERS A WHILE AGO
In a regime where the citizen is last in the government's priorities, the citizen has grown skeptical each day that passes by.
Sometime last week I overheard a conversation between matatu drivers about the introduction of BRT along Thika road and how the government had floated the idea of a partnership with matatu owners so that they can operate the buses. But what got my attention was how skeptical they were of this idea. You could hear mistrust in their conversation and as if the government wanted to pull them in this deal, then sabotage them and the industry would end up making losses.
On top of that, they would mention that this is just another cash cow and another big scandal waiting to happen. So after all this banter, we embarked on our journey, and the whole way back It got me thinking of how the government has diluted its citizen's trust.
There is a general feeling of mistrust and exhaustion with the government around the country. We do not feel like we can trust that they have the best interest of the citizens. trust is very key in our day-to-day life, at least it is in most societies. This has lacked in this government and we are very skeptical of anything the government says and do, even if it is unfeigned and benefits the mwananchi.
We simply take whatever it is with a pinch of salt. Most of us will have a theory of why a certain project has been commissioned, why someone was appointed, and how someone is getting a kickback somewhere. And I would say this is all justified because of the experience we have had and as it is said to experience is the best teacher. We can look at so many instances where the trust of the government was eroded little by little, where the rain started beating us and eventually got us where we are.
One of the biggest if not the biggest undoing of the jubilee government has been corruption, they have failed hands down when it comes to tackling corruption in the country. According to Ethics, and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Kenya losses 600.8billion annually which is 7.8% of our GDP, and recently president Uhuru Kenyatta admitted that Kenya loses up to 2 billion shillings daily. This amount is so colossal that the thought just numbs your mind. Since the current regime took power we have been rocked with mega scandals almost every year where billions are lost especially with ‘tenderprenuers’ making away with billions of taxpayers’ money. From the NYS 1 and 2 scandals where individuals would walk with sacks containing millions to suppliers supplying air and getting paid, the government buying back its own land. This is a problem that is not only at the national level but at county levels as well, almost every financial year almost all counties have audit queries with public funds never accounted for and in a few months, we forget all about the previous year and ask for more money to counties without the accountability of the previous year.
The situation is exacerbated by the fact that we have seldom had a successful conviction years later the cases still drugging in court. It’s a vicious cycle, allocate money, lose money and a big scandal is unmasked, runs in the media for a few days some taken to court replace the people involved we end up forgetting the case since it's taking forever then another scandal is unmasked then the cycle begins. Year after year the taxpayer is treated to the same script and at this point, the trust for the leadership and institutions is lost. At this point, you cannot blame the mwananchi when they never trust their government.
The political class is one of the mistrusted in any society it is perceived that politics is a dirty self-seeking venture. Sure, there may be one or two good politicians who will have the interest of their constituents at heart, but that’s a drop in the ocean. Our very own politicians have proven that they cannot be trusted and do not have any principles that they stand on. Party hopping is very normal amongst our politicians which is enabled by the fact that our parties are purely tribal entities headed by tribal leaders.
Politicians will also look at their own interests first before they consider the electorate. These are the same politicians who will be involved in governance to legislate on issues that affect the citizen but will almost all the time never consider the citizen. We have seen our legislators demanding an increase in their salary to the detriment of the taxpayer. I also do not disapprove of the fact that we have a few good legislators and legislation passed by the house that favors the citizen. Implementation of policies has also been done with the common citizen last in mind. We have witnessed houses being demolished in the middle of the night and at the height of a global pandemic and they have to brave the cold of the night as they look for alternative places to rest their heads. That tells a lot about a leadership that is not compassionate and empathetic. Maybe this kind of leadership makes the electorate christen the political class as self-seeking and increased voter apathy. Because if you participate in the electoral process over and over again and never get any worthy leader why then participate in the process?
Our leadership has failed in more ways than one to build trust and inspire the citizenry. We have a population that cannot trust their own government, their intentions and sees their government as the oppressor rather than the savior.
But maybe we have a part to play as citizens in the running of affairs in the country. We should become more intentional in participating in the electoral process, electing leaders with a track record and moving away from our tribal politics, and actively holding the government to account.
Joseph de Maistre, a French diplomat said, every country has the government it deserves, maybe our leaders are a reflection of the society. Hitherto we may have gotten what we deserve but maybe it's time we change that, No?